It’s a brand new year and we want to help with, possibly, one of your new year’s resolutions and that is to see the dentist more often!

At Live and Smile, we are not just a dental office, we are an extension of your family. We want to welcome each and every one of our patients with the best care we can possibly give, but we understand that some people may have dental anxiety and tend not to come in as often as they need to. 

The most common thing that people who are afraid of the dentist do is to avoid going at all. Avoiding the dentists means that you are avoiding your preventative care and avoiding the issues or concerns of your dental/overall health. This can lead to cavities being left untreated, mouth/tooth pain, gum recession, and more. We are not trying to scare you here, but want you to keep in mind that going to the dentist is a benefit. 

In overcoming your dental anxiety, you need to find the right dentist for you. You deserve someone that is kind, compassionate, listens to your concerns, and works with you in creating the best experience. Consider the atmosphere of the office, friendly staff, past reviews from other patients, and anything else that may have caused the anxiety in the first place. 

When you come in for your dentist appointment, be sure to arrive early so you are not rushing in and get worked up about the appointment you were already worried about. Give yourself ample time to take it all in slowly. Bring a friend to help comfort you if needed as well. Seeing a familiar face can help so you wouldn’t be experiencing it all alone. 

Let your dental team know about your dental anxiety and they can help you as they see fit to make sure that your experience keeps you at ease. Ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Our dentists and staff are always here to help you understand what is being done at the appointment today and what may need to be done for the future. At Live and Smile, everyone is always here to help and we want you to ask those questions!

The dentist can be stressful, but we don’t want it to be. So let us know what we can do to help. We hope you will see us more often in the new year!